i’m a 263 apprentice and possibly want to move locals once i become a journeyman. it’s unbearably hot here lol and the wages don’t really stack up for the work we do. for those who have moved locals was the grass greener? i would like to try change our local for the better but it’s a big uphill battle and one of the pros of the union is being able to travel and move wherever.

Hey y’all so quick recap been trying to get into the ironworkers Apprenticeship since 2024 December I did an online assessment and passed , now moving on to the interview and math assessment. If I pass this, I’ll get into a 14 week training period and I’ll be on board until the boilermakers ironworker hanwa shipyard Welding job./ apprenticeship. My question is does anybody have any idea what to expect for the math test tomorrow? Any advice is appreciated.

When do you call it because of wind?

I’m a 37F & was just offered an apprenticeship. I am fat & out of shape. I feel like I’m having a mid-life crisis bc now that I actually have this opportunity, I don’t know if I can hack it. I worry about not being able to keep up & letting people down & simultaneously embarrassing myself. I want to be a welder but I know that I will have to pay my dues as an apprentice before I will have any autonomy to choose. Any advice from someone who went through something similar? Any anecdotes to lift me up or to scare me away?

I was selected to move on to the interview phase for the Iron Workers Local 399 apprenticeship in New Jersey. My interview is tomorrow, and I’m looking for advice from anyone who’s been through the process.
I’m 25 years old and have about 8 years of construction experience, including landscaping, concrete, grading, equipment operation, and general labor. I don’t have welding experience yet, but I’m eager to learn.
What kinds of questions did they ask you?
What are they looking for in applicants?
Is there anything you wish you had known before your interview?
Thanks in advance.
I appreciate any advice.

I have an interview with Local 29 next week.
Anybody know what kind of questions will be asked?

Needing new boots, don't have the money to get my RW 10877 or 2418's (I know I hate "safety" toes too, but Google requires it)

Now my question is this how do y'all like Irish Setter Wingshooters? Danner Bull Runs?

I'm in a rod patch at the moment and my foreman is singing the praises of Brunt Boots. Know a couple of guys who wear 'em and they love them but I'm special to say the least.

What y'all rocking?

Hello fellow Ironworkers. I’ve been an Ironworker for 12 years till recently when I was promoted to QC in my current job. I’m transitioning into a my new position and need help getting books so I can get certified. I want as much training and certification as possible, but books are expensive. I bought a course on line (SI certs) but can’t afford the books I need for it. I would appreciate any advice on how to acquire books. Thank you in advance

Does anyone have a phone case they recommend? I’m genuinely asking cuz my iPhone 16 has been rebuilt 2 times in the year I’ve had it from steel dust getting into the speaker and microphone shorting out some of the electronics. This has cause me to have insane feedback for people who I’m talking with on the phone or FaceTime making job related questions super difficult.

Any help would be appreciated

My boyfriend is a second period apprentice and he's a very on time, responsible worker. Since I'm 6 months pregnant, he has beeen happy and excited to go to the few ultrasound appointments I've had to see the baby. However, he has been telling me he may get laid off because his general foreman thinks he's taken too much time off and calls him a "part-timer." He's only missed 3 times in last 3 months and we have another US at the end of this month. He's worried about getting fired but also bummed about having to miss the US. Maybe I'm immature to feel that it's encouraging absent father behavior, but all the advice he gets from co-workers is to work more cause he'll need it for diapers? I know work is important, I know people expect apprentices to suck it all up for the sake of work, but I need support, we only see each other 4 hours per day and no appointments are availble after 3 PM. Is there anything at all that can be done so that he doesn't have to miss his first and only kid's moments just cause he's an apprentice and "he doesn't get to do anything?" Any other advice?

I just went through the entire application and interview process, and I recently went to the hall to get my results. They seemed to really like me and told me I did great on everything. However, I was told I'm on a reserve list of 10 people who could be called if others back out.

What is the likelihood that I actually get the call?

Honestly, the news really rocked me because I’ve done so much to try and boost my chances of getting in. I always do what's asked of me and I'm a really hard worker, but now I'm wondering—should I have been more vocal? Should I have sold myself more?

Good morning or afternoon,

I got accepted into local 97 (Vancouver and lower mainland BC) and will have an evaluation on the 20th. I am just curious what consists in the evaluation. I’m confident in my welding abilities I have an all position but are there possible resources to study from if needed?? I did tryouts with local 765 so I’m wondering if it’s the same as a tryout or if there’s a little more to it?

I’m fresh out of tech school for welding and my next plan is to go to an ironworkers union and join their apprenticeship program. To me it seems like a solid plan but I don’t know any steps. So far i put in my app for the program but thats it. It starts next month and when I called for an update they told me they “haven’t started looking yet”. Did I get ghost rejected? I just need some advice on how to handle this and to move forward.

I know construction is a tough trade, iron work even tougher, but I had no dad growing up and my stepdad never took on that role and was a bit of a loner through highschool. I can do the work fine but my demeanor lacks the traditional manliness. Even to the point of someone telling me I don’t belong here. I’m 26 years old and need to provide for myself no one’s coming to save me and I want to do good at this job. Any advice for me?

Just checking on the work up there in Michigan, my mom recently had a heart attack and I'd like to move closer. I've been with 21 omaha for 8 years

What are your best tips/tricks, or methods to be an efficient bolt up hand?

I'm on week three on my first job site. I'm 6 feet tall and I'm 130 pounds. I'm weak.

I have started lifting and doing cardio to try and build some resistance, but there are times, such as when I am throwing out deck, but I just don't have the strength to continue or even stand up straight. I barely have the energy to hold down my gas pedal on the way home.

I want to continue, I want to make this my career and I honestly really want to show up my foremen and journeyman. But I need to know what more I could be doing to make this easier or make progress faster. I've mostly been eating peanut butter and or oats for breakfast and lunch on the job.

How’s work right now? Is it slow in the Bay Area , I’ve been calling for a sponsorship and 3 out of 2 dozen companies ain’t sponsoring , I feel I’m well qualified too I got construction and welding experience, am I doing something wrong?

I worked in a shop a few years ago, ass pay welding nr232 in the shop. Was told “learn out of position welding thats where the money is.” Said maybe in the future, quit and went back into sales. Commission kept getting cut and was working more hours making less pay. Said fuck it I’ll go to trade school and learn out of position nr232 and smaw. Learned nr232 nr305 and smaw. Got licensed in LA City, applied to the IW 433, 416, 855 and THEY ALL TOLD ME TO FUCK OFF. Man why tf did I listen to all the chatter bs of “we need welders.” Was dispatched to a shop in gardena and was told “are you la city? Ok well were not looking for welders, leave your info if something opens up down the road we might give you a call.” A shop in lynwood turned me away from sponsorship because “im just starting out.” WTF 💀💀🤣🤣. literally the only job i could find was 20 whack ass bux at a fab shop, I make Mc Donalds money. This is fucking crazy how impossible it is, I feel like i should’ve stayed my happy ass in sales now I took a big ass pay cut for no reason. This is somewhat of a vent/hail mary but does someone here possibly have a connect for a sponsor?

hey ironworkers, softhands engineer here with an erection question for you guys. If HSS braces came with two erection bolt holes, one for the spud wrench and one for the actual bolt, would it make the erection easier?

I've watched I-beams get flown in and saw how the spud wrench is used to get the holes lined up before the first bolt gets placed, but hss braces usually only come with one bolt hole. Does the hss brace slip at all when you take the spud out and before the bolt goes in?

sorry in advance for being ignorant, I just want to know how I can make my designs easier to build for you guys who actually do tough shit. Would you rather erect with one hole or two holes?

I have some questions... Basically the instructor said 80% of local 1's hours are laying and tying rebar, what is the best pair of pliers for the job? The school sells us all the tools we need if we want, but if I want to make it as easy as possible if I'm going to spend most of my time doing rebar, does anyone have a recommendation for 7 inch and 9 inch pliers? Also I need 2 belts, any recommendations for those? Are they all the same and I should just use whatever local 1 is selling? And what is a pouch (scabbard) 5118c?

Finally, would it make my life and job significantly more bearable to not tell anyone I'm gay (funny enough I did electrical work before this), thank you guys in advance.